Gun with user notification

ABSTRACT

A gun is disclosed having conventional components and a holster. The gun has means for detecting removal of the gun from the holster, means for processing the output of the detection means, and means for authenticating the user of the gun. The gun has means for notifying remote authorities that the gun has been removed from the holster, means for receiving remote commands to lock the trigger and/or initiate a global positioning system. The gun has means for selectively locking the trigger from a remote location and means for selectively activating a global positioning system from the remote location.

FIELD

The present application relates to firearms and more specifically tofirearms capable of being remotely tracked for security purposes.

BACKGROUND

Guns enhanced for security purposes are known in the art.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,580,876 and 6,363,223 to Gordon (commonly referred toas “Gordon”) disclose a “Photographic Firearm Apparatus and Method” andare incorporated herein by reference. Gordon discloses enhancing a gunwith a digital camera. The purpose of the camera is to take pictures ofthe target. A variety of means are disclosed to activate the camera.Once activated, the camera waits for instruction to take pictures. Thegun has an accelerometer and circuitry which instructs the camera totake pictures responsive to the accelerometer detecting impulsemovement, such as when the gun is fired.

Regarding the means for activating the camera, Gordon discloses a heatsensor that is capable of sensing the body heat of a user. Gordon alsodiscloses an IR sensor that senses when the gun is near the face of auser. The IR switch could consist of a retina scanner which activatesthe camera upon detecting a retina. Alternatively, Gordon discloses amanual switch for activating the camera. Another alternative is apressure sensor or strain gauge potentiometer that detects the pressurefrom a person's grip. An electronic sensor can be used to detect whenthe firearm is removed from a holster. An electromagnetic sensor can beplaced in the gun and the holster that senses when the gun is removedfrom the holster.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,636 to German discloses an “Eye Safe Laser SecurityDevice” incorporated herein by reference. German teaches a gun, a cameraand a remote console. The camera is mounted to the gun and responsive toa person using the gun, the camera sends images of the target to theremote console. German also teaches a power source and a laser diodemounted on the gun. The laser diode illuminates following a firing ofthe gun.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,149 to Pike teaches a “Weapon Use Monitoring andRecording System” and is incorporated herein by reference. Pikediscloses a gun for a police officer, where the gun has an audio sensorand a location sensor. In response to the gun being removed from theholster, the sensors record information. The recorded information istransmitted to the police station which can then provide requiredassistance.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,989,024 to Myers and 4,835,621 to Black both teach gunscapable of recording images of targets through the gun barrel in lieu ofshooting projectiles.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,464 to Carter et al. discloses a “RemotelyControlled Radar Gun and Video Recording Apparatus.” Carter teachesplacing video cameras in and around a police car capable of recordingoutside, front seat and backseat activity. A plurality of actuators isused to activate each camera without having to actually engage eachcamera. Remotely located screens are capable of displaying imagesrecorded by the cameras.

The above patents, separately or in the aggregate, fail to considertwo-way communication between the gun and for example, law enforcementagencies, to confirm that the user of the gun is the registered owner ofthe gun. The patents also fail to consider a trigger that is capable ofbeing remotely locked. A gun with these features would preventinappropriate use of guns by thieves, helping to deter crimes ingeneral.

SUMMARY

A gun is disclosed having conventional components and a holster. The gunhas means for detecting removal of the gun from the holster, means forprocessing the output of the detection means, and means forauthenticating the user of the gun. The gun has means for notifyingremote authorities that the gun has been removed from the holster, meansfor receiving remote commands to lock the trigger and/or initiate aglobal positioning system. The gun has means for selectively locking thetrigger from a remote location and means for selectively activating aglobal positioning system from the remote location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order that the manner in which the above recited objectives arerealized, a particular description of the invention will be rendered byreference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in theappended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not therefore, to be considered tobe limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gun;

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the gun;

FIG. 2A is a rear view of the gun;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the gun;

FIG. 3A is a front view of the gun;

FIG. 4 is a view of a keypad located on the gun;

FIG. 5 is a view of a mercury switch capable of indicating if the gunhas been removed; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of using the gun.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A gun is disclosed that in response to being removed from a holster iscapable of notifying authorities of potential use by an unregistereduser, the gun capable of being remotely locked by the authorities.

Turning to FIGS. 1, 2, 2A and 3, a pistol is illustrated, it beingunderstood that the invention is equally applicable to other types ofguns such as rifle and other assault weapons and firearms. The gun 1 hassuch typical components as a chamber/grip 2, trigger 3, trigger safety4, and barrel with Visierung 6 (front and rear sight components). Thegun 1 can be manual, semiautomatic, or fully automatic. The chamber 2 iscapable of accepting typical cartridges and the barrel is capable offiring typical caliber bullets for the gun type.

A holster (not shown) is used for storing the gun. The holster may bestationary, such as part of a home or office cabinet or gun rack, or onan automobile gun rack. The holster may be portable, such as a beltmountable or automobile mountable holster.

Turning to FIG. 5, means for detecting removal of the gun from theholster are illustrated. The detection means could be a mercury switchintegrated into the gun 1. Alternatively, the detection means could be astrain gauge potentiometer attached to a flexible membrane within theholster or grip. Yet alternatively, the detection means could be anelectromagnetic switch. Further, the detection means could be anelectromechanical switch that is automatically or manually tripped wheninserting the gun into and taking the gun from the holster.Alternatively, the holster may be provided with a gun detecting member.

The detection means is capable of producing an output signal which isindicative of the gun position or location. For example, the outputsignal consists of two different analog voltage signals, one signal isindicative of the gun being in the holster and one signal is indicativeof the gun being out of the holster. The detection means has outputports which are capable of delivering the signals.

Turning to FIGS. 4 and 6, the gun has means 10 for processing the outputof the detection means. Depending on the signal provided by thedetection means, the processing means 10 is capable of determining ifthe gun is in the holster or if the gun is removed from the holster.

The processing means 10 comprises input ports 11 that are capable ofreceiving the output from the detection means. To handle the signals,the processing means 10 has standard computer components. For example,the processing means includes a standard analog to digital converter 12,a CPU 13, permanent and temporary memory (not shown) and other standardcomponents for performing the required tasks.

The processing means includes a software operating system such as aWindows or a Palm based operating system. Through the software, theprocessing means continually checks the output from the detection means.It is to be appreciated that “continually” could mean checking at afrequency of every half a second.

The procession means also includes a screen 5, a keyboard 6 and means 14for accessing the internet. The internet access means would also beintegral with the gun 1. Through these devices, the user is capable ofupgrading the software and operating system. The user can also accessonline services and databases that could provide gun and user specificinformation. For example, the user might be able to determine how oftenthe user or other person has removed the gun from the holster over agiven period of time.

The internet access means is, for example, mobile telephony technology15, where the user might be required to subscribe to a known carrier foraccessing the internet. The internet access means could also compriseinput/output connectors 11 on the gun or serial port emulators integralwith the CPU. The connectors 11 would include standard connectors suchas an RJ-11 phone jack, an RJ-45 Ethernet jack, a USB port.

The serial port emulators for the internet access means could include anIR port or a Bluetooth transceiver 16. If Bluetooth circuitry is used, asecond Bluetooth transceiver would need to be located proximal to thegun 1. The second transceiver would provide the gun 1 with internetaccess using known protocols.

The gun has means 17 for authenticating the user of the gun. Theauthentication means is activated by the processing means after theprocessing means determines that the gun has been removed from theholster. The purpose of the authentication means is to determine if thegun user is the registered owner.

The authentication means comprises a software routine that is capable offunctioning through the same components used with the processing means.The software causes the gun to request a personal identification number(PIN) from the user. The PIN could be a pre-assigned or pre-selecteddata unit known to the user before the user has the opportunity toremove the gun from the holster.

The authentication means is capable of requesting the PIN by stating therequest on the screen. Alternatively, the authentication means comprisesa speaker 7 (FIG. 3A) for audibly requesting the PIN. The gun is capableof receiving the response to the request through the keyboard 6.Alternatively, the authentication means comprises a microphone 8 capableof receiving the PIN response. The microphone may be a two waymicrophone integral with the speaker or may be a separate microphone 8.

The authentication means would be programmed to allow the user to enterthe PIN over a pre-selected period of time. For example, the user isprovided with thirty seconds to enter the PIN. Accordingly, the user hasthe time to enter the correct number and be appropriately identified.

The authentication means is capable of processing the input from theuser, or lack of input from the user. If the user inputs the correctPIN, the authentication means determines that the user is the registereduser. At this point, the user is capable of using the gun without regardto the system software. The system software is capable of beingautomatically reset for monitoring when the gun is placed again in andsubsequently, removed from the holster.

The gun has means for notifying remote authorities that the gun has beenremoved from the holster. The notification means is required for theoccasion when the authentication means has determined that user hasfailed to input the correct PIN or failed to enter any authenticatingPIN. Such an occasion would arise when, for example, the gun has beenstolen from the holster by a thief.

The notification means is executed through software and compriseshardware provided with the processing means. Through the notificationmeans, appropriate authorities are capable of being contacted forpurposes of further attempting to authenticate the user. Through thenotification means, the authorities are capable of taking theappropriate action if the user is ultimately, unable to beauthenticated.

To contact authorities, the notification means comprises mobiletelephony technology 15 along with the speaker 7 and microphone 8 builtinto the gun. As a backup, the notification means may also comprisevoice over IP. Voice over IP would be available if the gun were in awireless “hotspot” such as LAN access points 16 located throughout manymodern cities. Alternatively, voice over IP is accessible using theBluetooth transceiver along with a proximally located Bluetoothtransceiver, where the latter has access to the internet.

Through the disclosed technologies, the notification means is capable ofcontacting “911” or other pre-selected authority. The notification meansis also capable of contacting the registered owner of the gun.

Once the pre-selected party is contacted, the notification meansactivates the speaker and microphone. The notification means comprises avideo monitor 8 for providing a visual image of the situation to thenotified parties. Through these elements, the contacted parties, such asthe authorities and the registered owner of the gun, are capable ofcommunicating with the user of the gun.

Once contacted, the remote parties are capable of determining if the gunis being used by, for example, a thief. Alternatively, the authoritiesare capable of confirming that the gun is being used by the registeredowner and whether the registered owner is in an emergency situationrequiring assistance.

While the communication occurs with the pre-selected party, thenotification means is capable of continuously monitoring to see if thecommunication has terminated. If the communication has terminated, thenotification means is capable of determining if the termination waspurposeful or accidental. Accidental termination would occur, forexample, due to a lost signal. If the termination was accidental, thenthe notification means is capable of reconnecting the call.

The gun has means for receiving remote commands executed by thecontacted parties. The remote command may occur because the contactedparty determines that an improper party is using the gun. The contactedparty would send a signal, which could be an analog or digital signal(i.e. voice or data signal), ordering the locking of the gun trigger.Alternatively, the remote command could be sent to turn on a standardglobal positioning system (GPS).

The remote command means is executed through software and compriseshardware provided with the processing means. The remote command meanscomprises a scanner that is capable of scanning for the signals. Thescanning rate is substantially continuous at, for example, predeterminedintervals of time. The remote command means is capable of operation onlyduring the life of the call initiated by the notification means. Theoutput from the remote command means would be in the form of an outputvoltage that was created by the a/d converter previously used by theprocessing means. The signal is capable of being transferred throughstandard computer cables.

The system has means for locking the trigger which is capable of beingactivated upon the reception of the output voltage from the remotecommand means. The trigger lock means comprises, for example, anelectromechanical solenoid that locks the trigger hammer or trigger.Alternatively, the trigger lock means comprises an electromagnetic lockfor locking the hammer or trigger.

The system has means for resetting the software following thetermination of the call and the execution of the remote commands. Thereset means is executable though software and is capable of receiving areset code supplied through the keyboard or microphone. As a result ofentering the code, the trigger, if locked, will be released and theglobal positioning system will become deactivated.

Once the reset means as deactivated the safety precautions, The systemwill then scan to determine when the gun is replaced into the holster.Until that time, it will be oresumed that the gun is being used by theregistered owner and no further safety precaution will be taken.

Turning now to FIG. 7, the method of operation for the invention isdisclosed. Initially, at Step S1, the detection means determines if thegun is in the holster.

During this period, the processing means continuously monitors theoutput voltage from the detection means as illustrated in Step S2.

Upon removal of the gun from the holster, the processing means activatesthe authentication means at Step S3. There, the system provides the userwith the preset period of time to provide the authentication PIN at StepS4. The system is capable of receiving the code in the requisite periodof time at Step S5, and the authentication means analyzes the code forcorrectness at Step S6.

If the received code is correct, then the system will monitor for whenthe gun is placed back into the holster. Until that time, no furthersafety precautions will be taken. Once the gun is replaced into theholster, the detection means will begin checking for when the gun isagain removed from the holster.

After Step S4, the system might not have received a PIN or the PIN mighthave been incorrect. In either case, the system proceeds to activate thenotification means in Step S7. Here, the system initiates a two wayconference call with authorities. The system may also contact theregistered owner on a conference call with the authorities.

During the call, the system monitors to see if the call is terminated atStep S8. If the call has been terminated, the system determines if thetermination was purposeful at Step S9. If the termination wasaccidental, due to the lost signal, then the system restarts the call.If the system determines that the termination was purposeful, then thesystem activates the reset means at Step S16.

During the call, the remote command means monitors for the reception ofremote commands from the authorities at Step S10. The monitoring periodis for example, a thirty second duration that continues to repeat duringthe life of the call. If the command is not given in that period oftime, the system determines if the call has been terminated and thenagain scans for a command at Step S11. This loop helps prevent thesystem from monitoring for commands after the termination of thecommunication with the authorities.

Upon receiving remote commands, an output signal is received by thetrigger lock means and the global positioning system at steps S12 andS14. If the command was intended to activate the trigger lock means,then that means responds accordingly at Step S13. On the other hand, theglobal positioning system is capable of responding at Step S15 to theactivation command.

Following the execution of the remote command, the system again monitorsfor another remote command. Accordingly, both the SPS and the triggerlock are capable of being activated by remote commands.

Upon the termination of the call, the reset means is activated and thesystem requests the input of a reset code at Step S16. A timer is set atStep S17 to receive the code. If the code is not received during thepreset time period, the system will again ask for the code at Step S18.

This loop prevents the gun from being used again until the authoritiesor registered owner enters the reset code.

Only when the corrected code has been entered, at Step S19, will thesystem be reset at Step S20. Once reset, the GPS and trigger lock arereleased. The system will then monitor for the replacement of the guninto the holster and the subsequent removal of the gun from the holsterat Step S2.

A gun has been disclosed that, in response to being removed from aholster, is capable of notifying authorities of potential use by anunregistered user, the gun capable of being remotely locked by thenotified persons.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not as restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore,indicated by the appended claims and their combination in whole or inpart rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to beembraced within their scope.

1.-2. (canceled)
 3. A gun comprising a processor, memory, at least onesensor and a holster, wherein: the sensor senses the removal of the gunfrom the holster by a user; and the processor receives an authorizationcode from the user for activating or deactivating said gun.
 4. The gunof claim 3 wherein the gun has a mobile telephone circuitry whichcontacts a third party to authorize the user.
 5. The gun of claim 3wherein the gun has a lock that the trigger or hammer upon receiving alock code from the third party if the user fails to be authorized. 6.The gun of claim 3 wherein the gun has a GPS system that is activatedupon receiving an activation code from the third party if the user failsto be authorized.
 7. The gun of claim 3 wherein the gun has a videotransmitter that provides video imagery and audio feed of the user tothe third party.
 8. A gun and holster combination, comprising: means fordetecting removal of the gun from the holster; means for receivingauthorization for authorizing the user of the gun in response toreceiving output from the detection means.
 9. The gun and holstercombination of claim 8 including means for notifying remote authoritiesin response to the output from the authorization means, saidnotification means capable of being terminated.
 10. The gun and holstercombination of claim 8 including means for receiving remote commandsfrom the remote authorities to either lock the trigger or initiate a GPSsystem.
 11. The gun and holster combination of claim 8 including meansfor locking the trigger or means for activating a GPS system.
 12. Thegun of claim 8 having means for resetting the software following thetermination of the notification means.